In the opposite way; in a manner contrary to what would normally be expected or typical.
From contra- (opposite) plus -wise (in the manner of). This archaic or rare adverb follows the -wise pattern used in older English to create adverbs of manner.
You probably know -wise from 'clockwise,' but in older English, 'contrawise' meant 'in the opposite direction or manner.' Lewis Carroll used it in 'Through the Looking Glass' to sound whimsical and old-fashioned!
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